By Mr Stuart Ralph, Principal

As the term comes to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate staff and students on a wonderful term of learning and participation in all aspects of College life, whether that be sport, camps, or other enrichment opportunities.

This afternoon, our Year 8 students have returned from their two-night camp at Gowrie Park Wilderness Village, where they completed the Mt Roland walk, engaged in team-building base camp activities, and visited Tasmazia and the Trowunna Wildlife Park. I thank our staff for making these opportunities available to our students.

Enrolments for Year 7 2027 are Now Open

Enrolments for students commencing Year 7 in 2027 are now being accepted. Choosing a secondary school is a significant family milestone, and we would be delighted to welcome prospective students and their families to explore all that St Brendan-Shaw College has to offer.

Year 7 2027 Enrolment Scholarships

Applications for St Brendan-Shaw College Year 7 2027 enrolment scholarships open tomorrow, Friday 17 April, and close on Friday 15 May 2026. Scholarships are available in Academic, The Arts and Sport for students entering Year 7 in 2027. Families interested in applying are encouraged to visit the College website for full details, or book a tour with Principal Stuart Ralph to learn more about St Brendan-Shaw College.

Anzac Day

During the term break, the college will be represented at services around our region, where our student leaders and student executives will march and deliver addresses and readings. The Morning Service commences at 11:00 am at the Devonport Cenotaph. All students are welcome to join us. If you wish to march with the College to the Cenotaph, meet at 10:30 am at the Senior Citizens Club Rooms at 8 Victoria Parade, Devonport. Please wear your full academic uniform.

Anzac Day remembers the Gallipoli campaign, in which, on 25 April 1915, thousands of brave young men went ashore on a foreign beach in a far-off land. This was far from the last Australian involvement; three years later, on 24 April 1918, Australian soldiers played a pivotal role in the Allied victory at Villers-Bretonneux.

Shortly after nightfall, the ANZACs launched their assault – a ferocious house-to-house battle that went through the night. By dawn on the 25th of April, Villers-Bretonneux was in Australian hands. They were lauded for their bravery, but it came at a cost, with some 2400 killed, missing or wounded.

While the battle of Villers-Bretonneux and Gallipoli stand in folklore, this Anzac Day, we remember all servicemen and women:

• World War 1 – 1914-1918
• World War 2 – 1939-1945
• Korean War – 1950-1953
• Malayan Emergency – 1950-1960
• Vietnam War – 1962-1975
• Indonesian Confrontation – 1963-1966
• Gulf War – 1990-1991
• Afghanistan – 2001-2021
• Iraq – 2003-2009
• Peacekeeping – 1947-present

Attending the Dawn Service with my sons, where they can pay their respects and wear their Great-great-grandfather’s medals, is an integral part of our family history and an opportunity for me to instil in them an understanding of the sacrifice many men and women made for this great nation.

From the shores of Gallipoli to the valleys of Afghanistan – in theatres of war and peace – we remember the incredible sacrifice and service of the Australian Defence Force.

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."
– The Ode from For the Fallen by Laurence Binyon

Congratulations

Reminder: Student Free Day – Friday 17 April

A reminder to all families that Friday, 17 April, is a student-free day. Staff will be engaged in professional Learning.

Winter Uniform

As Term 1 draws to a close, families are reminded that students will transition to winter uniform at the commencement of Term 2. 

The Midford Uniform Shop in Stewart Street will be open during the term break, during its regular trading hours:

• Monday: Closed
• Tuesday to Friday: 8.00am to 4.00pm
• Saturday: 10.00am to 1.00pm

Discernment year 2026 Student Free Day - Monday 25 May

As part of the College’s ongoing school improvement planning, 2026 is a year of discernment. On Monday, 25 May, the College will be closed as staff come together to define our future state as a College, using the school improvement data from students, staff and parents.

I wish all students a refreshing break. I thank families for their ongoing support and look forward to seeing students back on Monday 4 May.

Yours sincerely,

Mr Stuart Ralph
Principal

By Miss Sophie Lansley, Deputy Principal: Teaching & Learning

Interim reports have been issued at the end of this term. Early in Term 2, parents will receive an email with information about Parent-Teacher interviews, including how to book through the College’s booking platform.

That email will also outline arrangements for mid-year reports. In Term 2, mid-year reports will be released in stages, with separate timing for students in Years 11 and 12 and students in Years 7 to 10.

I encourage parents to make use of Connect and to review feedback and contact teachers if they have any questions about their child’s progress.

Looking ahead to Term 2, I would like to remind all students of the importance of arriving to class prepared to learn. Being organised helps students settle quickly and make the most of each lesson.

Students should bring:

• a fully charged device
• their pencil case
• relevant subject workbooks
• all required resources listed on the booklist.

It is also a good idea for students to keep their device charger in their locker so they are prepared if their battery runs low during the day.

The What Matters? writing competition is now open, inviting young writers to explore the ideas, values, and issues that matter most to them. It’s a fantastic opportunity for students to use their voice, reflect on the world around them, and celebrate the power of thoughtful, purposeful writing.

Entries close 15 May 2026. More information is available at: whitlam.org/whatmatters

If students are looking for inspiration, the library’s What Matters? Writing Competition dashboard includes a selection of resources to help spark ideas.

By Mrs Imelda Martinez, PIC Chess

On Wednesday 1 April, St Brendan-Shaw College participated in the Interschool Chess Tournament held at Ulverstone Secondary College. The tournament featured more than 150 students from schools across the North West Coast, competing over seven rounds of chess with a fast-paced time limit of 10 minutes plus a two-second increment per move. On the day, I witnessed a wonderful display of camaraderie and sportsmanship among our students and students from other schools. They showed respect and humility by shaking hands or sharing a fist pump before each round, helping the organisers reset the boards after each game, and encouraging one another between rounds.

Playing against opponents with high ELO ratings and greater experience can certainly be intimidating. However, with consistency, focus, and the motto of the day, “Play the board, not the person”, our younger and less experienced players rose to the challenge. I remember hearing this exact phrase on the way to chess tournaments six years ago from Thomas Hartwell. Those words of encouragement helped our students trust their skills, stay present, and avoid being intimidated by ELO ratings. Thomas is an alumnus and was also a very enthusiastic member of our Chess Club during his junior years at the College. He is currently the highest-ranked chess player in the North West region. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Thomas for all the support and encouragement he has given our team. We are fortunate to have him coaching our chess team this term. Not only did he help our team improve their strategies, he also instilled confidence in them.

I am very pleased to share the wonderful news that the chess team achieved first place at this term’s Interschool Chess Tournament. It was a fantastic day for all participants, not only because of the team’s success on the day, but also because six students have now qualified to represent the College at the State Finals in Term 4. Congratulations to all students who participated. You maintained focus and showed consistency in winning most of your rounds throughout the day. I am very proud of you all. Well done, SBSC Chess Team!

Congratulations to the top-scoring players of the day:

• Gavisha Gunarathna
• Anna Wylie
• Ryder Bransden
• Thomas Batten

Anna Wylie also received another medal, being named Best Female Player in the Secondary Schools Division, and received an award for Most Improved Player.

As we move into the cooler months, it is a good time to revisit the everyday habits that help keep our community well.

Tasmanian health advice recommends staying home when unwell, washing or sanitising hands regularly, and covering coughs and sneezes to help reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses. Warm, soapy water is best for hand washing when hands are visibly dirty, while hand sanitiser can be useful when they are not.

Families can help by keeping students at home if they are unwell, particularly if they have cold or flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat or fatigue. Healthdirect also recommends simple habits such as using tissues, coughing or sneezing into an elbow, and avoiding sharing cups or utensils.

Thank you for helping us support the health and wellbeing of our College community.

Further Information can be found on the About Flu page at Tas Health.

Moleigh Clemens, Year 11, and Matilda Spaulding, Year 12, were selected for the Tasmanian U18 Pathways rowing squad.

Rowers from eight different schools across the state, including St Brendan-Shaw College, came together to race at the Sydney International Rowing Centre this week. It was a great experience, learning to row with different people, quickly building trust and rapport with new teammates, and then racing against crews from other states.

Moleigh rowed in the stroke seat in the quad, which was coached by former student Ella Spaulding. Matilda rowed in the 7th seat of the Eight. Both crews placed a hard-fought 6th place in their respective finals.

They performed exceptionally well against stronger, more established states, and we are incredibly proud of their efforts.

Year 10 students have received information by email about the Year 10 Health Careers Program Mersey, to be held on Wednesday 27 May 2026 at the Rural Clinical School, Mersey Community Hospital, Latrobe. The program runs from 8.45am to 2.45pm, and students are asked to bring their own morning tea and lunch.

Please note that St Brendan-Shaw College has only been offered 10 places for this opportunity. Students who wish to be considered must complete the Google Form that was emailed to them.